Despite entering Wednesday's preliminary round game as the Eastern Conference's bottom seed and without a victory on the road in more than three months (and that was at bottom-feeding Toronto FC), the Houston Dynamo flipped their postseason switch once again at Chicago's Toyota Park.

Second-year forward Will Bruin scored twice, including a back breaker mere seconds into the second half, and coach Dominic Kinnear's side held on late for a 2-1 win over the host Chicago Fire. It was the Dynamo's third road playoff triumph in the past two years — a period during which they won five regular-season matches combined away from home.

"We're almost in the same situation as we were last year, backs against the wall. And this is kind of where this team has always prided themselves and done well," midfielder Brad Davis said this week.

That proved to be the case again Wednesday.

BRUIN BREAKS OUT

Bruin was a sensation early in his rookie season — four goals in his first six weeks as a pro — but couldn't sustain that pace. By the time Houston entered the 2011 playoffs, the former Indiana University player was a reserve.

He came into his own, however, progressing from Dynamo legend Brian Ching's heir apparent to the club's leading scorer (12 regular-season goals). Bruin had a quiet run-in once again (one goal since the end of August) but continued working hard, kept his spot and was rewarded Wednesday.

The first goal came in stereotypical Dynamo fashion — off a set piece taken by Davis. The playmaker's 12th-minute corner kick fell to Bruin about 7 yards out from the Fire goal. Chicago defender Jalil Anibaba had slipped, Bruin was free and his header beat goalkeeper Sean Johnson at the near post.

It was Davis' 13th assist of the season; his 26 set-piece assists since 2009 are the most in MLS. Chicago knew it was coming but couldn't stop it.

Less than 20 seconds into the second half, Houston was on its way. Midfielder Ricardo Clark tackled the ball from Chicago's Gonzalo Segares, and Calen Carr set Bruin free at the top of the penalty area. As Fire defender Arne Friedrich closed in, Bruin hammered a shot that Johnson got his hand to but couldn't keep out.

DYNAMIC DAVIS

It's hard to imagine that there isn't still the occasional moment when Dynamo players and fans wonder what might have been at last year's MLS Cup final. Houston, playing without the injured Davis, lost 1-0 after holding off the favored L.A. Galaxy for most of the match. Davis is the engine that drives the Dynamo, and he was a key difference maker Wednesday.

It wasn't just the corner kick that led to Bruin's goal. Except for an uncharacteristic giveaway in the opening minutes, Davis was a thorn in the Fire's side — and down the middle — all evening. He did well drifting between central midfield and the left flank, hit smart passes and tested the Fire back four with multiple crosses that resulted in Dynamo shots.

None of the hosts could match Davis' creativity or impact.

"Come out to practice and watch this guy," Kinnear told Sporting News in early October. "He's one of the most naturally talented players I've ever been around on a daily basis. You don't really appreciate him until you see him every day. He does things other players can't do and he does it consistently."

FATIGUED FIRE

Questions will be asked about the way MLS scheduled the final weekend of the regular season. With games kicking off at different times across Saturday and Sunday, the Dynamo were aware before Saturday night's match in Colorado that they would finish fifth. So hours after Chicago played a difficult 90 minutes against D.C. United, Kinnear was able to rest nearly all his starters in a meaningless game.

Fire coach Frank Klopas won't want to make excuses — Houston simply was better Wednesday — but the difference in the teams' relative energy level was clear. Fire players were sluggish, appeared to lack urgency at times and struggled with their timing (forward Sherjill MacDonald was whistled offside four times). The only sustained Chicago threat came courtesy of winger Patrick Nyarko, who troubled Houston's outside backs but wasn't able to convert until late.

The goal finally came in the 82nd minute, shortly after Friedrich found Nyarko with a long ball out of the back. The Virginia Tech product fed substitute midfielder Alex, who finished with a low shot inside the right post. It made the final score more respectable, but likely won't leave Chicago feeling better about its performance.

MOVING ON

The Dynamo (15-9-11) advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals and a two-game series with Sporting Kansas City (18-7-9). Houston will be host for the first game Sunday at BBVA Compass Stadium (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC), where the Dynamo were 11-0-6 this season. Throw in Houston's increasing comfort on the playoff road — it beat SKC in last year's Eastern final at Livestrong Sporting Park — and this series is no gimme for the top seed.

Chicago (17-12-6) made significant strides this season, returning a winning culture to Toyota Park and adding several key players. But it faded down the stretch, finishing the regular season with one win in five games, and was neither fit nor in form when facing a playoff-seasoned Houston team. Defeat was in the cards Wednesday.